Obesity – causes, impact on health, treatment. Prevention of obesity in children and adults

Proven content

Do you spend your free time mainly in front of the TV or computer, snacking on a little something? Do you like to open the fridge in the evening and “relieve” it of the weight lying on the shelves? Be careful! While you treat your taste buds with delicacies, your body gets a hard life lesson. Why? Because you’re on your way to obesity.

In recent years, medical societies have taken a number of ‘obesity-phobic’ activities. Doctors sound the alarm: the number of obese people is growing rapidly! According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the problem with excess kilograms affects approx. 1 billion people. Of these, 300 million people suffer from obesity. The Guinness Book of Records states that the most obese man in the world was the American John Brower Minoch (1941 – 1983), who weighed about 630 kg (with a height of 185 cm).

See also: Does healthy obesity exist?

We perpetuate bad habits learned from childhood in our adult life. So if we add to the group of people who accumulate unnecessary kilograms in their adult life those who have been struggling with the problem of excess weight from early childhood, it turns out that we live in obesity.

If you still have a problem with extra kilos, it is worth doing genetic tests of the genes of metabolism and obesity, or a package of tests. Full nutrigenetic profile – determination of metabolic predispositions. You may find that your diet does not match your genetic profile at all.

Find out more: Diseases as a consequence of obesity

In children and adolescents, percentile grids are used to determine the appropriate body weight. These are charts from which the doctor reads your toddler’s BMI in relation to other children his age. The charts were created on the basis of statistical data. They may be slightly different in each voivodeship of Poland. If a child has a BMI greater than 95% of his peers, he is obese.

Obesity – causes

The main factors causing obesity are those resulting from an unhealthy diet and lifestyle in which physical activity is limited.

1. Poor diet (too much calories)

While millions of people are starving in Africa, in the United States, in Europe, in Australia, people overeat. As you can see 24-hour access to supermarkets, the restaurant also has its downside. Most scientists agree that people who were obese in childhood have a higher risk of developing weight problems in adulthood. Some of them believe that it is the result of the irreversible multiplication of fat cells (adipocytes) during adolescence.

Even if such a person loses weight in adulthood, the excess number of fat cells in their body remains unchanged, only their volume decreases. Therefore, it is easier for these people to gain weight in the event of dietary errors or lack of physical activity (new adipocytes do not have to be formed, fat already fills those that are in the body).

As an aid in obesity, it is worth using Obesity – a mixture of herbs, the regular drinking of which improves metabolism and supports the regulation of blood glucose levels.

1. Lifestyle

Obesity is influenced by the lack of or little physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle.

1. Genetic predisposition

According to specialists, there is a gene called FTO that is responsible for the increased risk of obesity. However, it should be borne in mind that other genes may also be responsible for obesity, and the FTO is just one of many. Interestingly, there have been only about 200 cases in the world where damage to the function of a single gene was the cause of obesity.

1. Diseases

Diseases that contribute to obesity include hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome and disease.

1. Psychosocial determinants

The psychosocial causes of obesity include the duplication of improper eating habits and the so-called eating stress.

Also check: Obesity is the direct cause of a heart attack

Types of obesity

There are several types of obesity. These are:

1. moderate obesity – BMI is in the range of 30–35;
2. significant obesity – BMI is in the range of 35–40;
3. obesity posing a serious risk – BMI is above 40.

Obesity can also be classified according to the causes that cause it, namely:

1. primary obesity (called simple or idiopathic) – most often caused by environmental factors, including eating high-calorie foods, too few meals;
2. Secondary obesity (symptomatic) – is associated with disorders of the endocrine glands, often developing as a result of other diseases.

Worth knowing: Brown fat gives hope in the fight against obesity

The excess body fat is deposited not only in the form of visible folds. Much more dangerous is the accumulation of fat in the blood vessels in the form of the so-called atherosclerotic plaques. Their presence causes impairment of blood flow and the nutrition of individual organs. Most often it affects the heart. Therefore, obesity increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases (heart attack, stroke).

It also causes high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol) and triglycerides, type 2 diabetes, night sleep apnea, gall bladder stones, fatty liver, gastroesophageal reflux, hernia, fertility disorders, and an increased risk of cancer. . Obesity also affects our mental well-being. It leads to a decrease in self-esteem, which increases the risk of depression.

Also read: The obesity gene associated with loss of brain tissue

Obesity treatment – diet

In the fight against obesity, the most important thing is a correct diet (a dietitian can help you determine it). Remember that this doesn’t have to be a draconian cut in the amount of food you eat! Perhaps it will only be necessary to modify the composition of your menu. Such a diet should include low-calorie products with appropriate nutritional values ​​(the content of proteins, fats and carbohydrates). In the case of weight loss, it is crucial to eat 4 to 5 smaller meals during the day and drink the right amount of water (about 2 liters).

A loss of 0,5 to 1 kg of body weight per week is considered optimal. Otherwise, when losing weight too quickly in a short time, the so-called the yo-yo effect, i.e. return to the previous body weight.

As an alternative, it is worth using Na obesity – a herbal mixture of Klimuszko’s father available at a promotional price on Medonet Market.

Obesity treatment – physical activity

Exercise regularly (you can start with daily walks of 15-20 minutes). Properly selected exercises have a positive effect on burning abdominal fat, increasing muscle mass, as well as improving the appearance and self-esteem of a person struggling with obesity. The aforementioned walks, but also swimming, water exercises or yoga are great activities that do not overload the skeletal and muscular system.

As time goes on and you lose more pounds, you can add new exercises and thus modify the intensity of your training.

Obesity treatment – pharmacology

Appetite-suppressing drugs (available by prescription). Mainly it is orlistat and a combination of bupropion and naltrexone. In the first case, the drug reduces the absorption of fats in the digestive tract, in other words, it reduces the absorption of calories. Orlistat acts on the lipase enzyme, which is responsible for the breakdown of triglycerides into free fatty acids and monoglycerides, thereby increasing the excretion of fats in the faeces.

In the latter case, the exact mechanism of action is not known. According to specialists, bupropion and naltrexone increase the feeling of fullness, reduce appetite and increase body temperature, which makes the body burn more calories.

Obesity treatment – surgical treatment

Surgical treatment – the so-called bariatric operations: involve the removal of a part of the stomach or intestine (they are used as a last resort when obesity is life-threatening and all other methods of weight reduction have failed). However, it should be remembered that there are some contraindications for the operation, such as: mental state of the patient, depression, personality disorders, as well as addiction to drugs, alcohol or life-threatening diseases.

Find out more: Surgical methods of fighting obesity

Obesity treatment – psychodietetics

Psychological help in the treatment of obesity. Psychological support is of great importance, because often a person struggling with obesity also has problems with depression and low self-esteem. In addition, while going through the weight loss process, the sick person has to deal with certain sacrifices and maintain a strong will. Therefore, positive effects in the fight against obesity are brought by psychological therapy (individual or group), which motivates to further struggle. It is also worth that not only the sick person, but also their family join such therapy (the relatives of the patient will know how to help them).

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from others. Remember! It is worth starting the road to big change with small steps.

Obesity prevention

Obesity is the cause of many diseases and diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases or degenerative changes in the joints, and therefore it is extremely important to prevent overweight and obesity. At this point, it’s worth saying that, fortunately, there are many ways to prevent obesity in both children and adults.

Prevention of obesity in children

Prevention of obesity begins at an early age and research has found that breastfeeding is associated with a reduced risk of childhood obesity (children breastfed for a long time are less likely to be obese). However, more research is still needed regarding the role of breastfeeding in preventing obesity. It is also equally important to feed children in appropriate-sized portions. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, young children do not need large amounts of food. From 1 to 3 years of age, each centimeter of a child’s height should correspond to about 40 calories of food consumed.

It’s also worth it encourage the child to try a variety of fruits and vegetables from an early age. As you age, you are more likely to include these healthy foods in your diet. In addition, it would be good for the whole family to maintain healthy eating habits. This will also help your child continue to follow good eating habits as he grows up.

Another important thing in the prevention of obesity in the youngest is encouraging slow food consumption and only when we’re really hungry. This is important because when we eat and we are not hungry, we overeat. This excess fuel eventually becomes stored as body fat and can lead to obesity. Therefore, it is worth encouraging your child to eat only when he feels hungry and to chew more slowly for better digestion.

It is of great importance for the proper development of a child reducing unhealthy food. Try to stock up your refrigerator and pantry with healthy food, and serve less healthy snacks as a rare ‘delicacy’. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children and adolescents use a trusted source of physical activity for at least 60 minutes every day. Suitable physical activities include games, sports, and gym activities as well as outdoor activities.

It is equally important limiting the time spent by the child in front of the TV or monitor screen. More time sitting in front of a screen means less time to be physically active and get a good night’s sleep. As exercise and sleep play a large role in maintaining a healthy body weight, it is important to encourage these activities rather than playing computer games or watching TV. Speaking of sleep, research suggests that both children and adults who do not get enough sleep may eventually start weighing more.

Find out more: Limiting hours in front of the TV reduces children’s obesity

Prevention of obesity in adults

Many of these tips for preventing childhood obesity work just as well for adults. The most important thing is to maintain a healthy diet and adequate physical activity.

As for diet, this 2017 study, published in the Nutrition Journal, found that consumption of healthy dietary fats, such as polyunsaturated fats, can improve cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of obesity. In turn, according to a 2016 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods is associated with a higher risk of obesity. Many processed foods are high in fat, salt and sugar, which can encourage overeating.

In addition, remember to eat the right amount of vegetables and fruit. The daily recommendation for fruit and vegetable consumption is five to nine servings per day for adults. Filling your plate with vegetables and fruit can help you keep a manageable amount of calories and reduce your risk of overeating.

It is also worth paying attention to the amount of dietary fiber in the diet. Research continues to show that dietary fiber plays a large role in maintaining a healthy weight. One 2012 study found that people who took a supplement containing a fiber complex three times a day for 12 weeks lost up to 5 percent of their body weight.

In a diet to protect us from developing obesity it is wise to concentrate on eating foods with a low glycemic index. The glycemic index (GI) is a scale used to measure how quickly a given food will raise blood sugar levels. Focusing on low GI foods can help keep your blood sugar levels stable. In turn, keeping your blood glucose levels constant can help you manage your weight.

When it comes to exercise, including regular physical activity in your schedule is important for maintaining or losing weight, among other things. A week of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity is recommended. Strength training is as important to weight management as aerobic activity. In addition to weekly aerobic exercise, the WHO recommends strength training that involves all major muscles at least twice a week.

In addition to these two factors, i.e. diet and physical activity, you should also not forget about reducing everyday stressbecause stress can have many negative effects on the body and mind. A 2012 study suggests that stress can trigger a brain response that changes eating patterns and leads to an increased appetite for high-calorie foods. Conversely, eating too many high-calorie foods can contribute to the development of obesity.

In order not to eat this type of food, it is a good idea to make a dietary plan. Planning your daily meal and shopping lists can help you avoid the temptation to eat unhealthy foods. In addition, the preparation of meals allows you to have ready, healthy and tasty dishes.

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